Several enquiries prompted me to write these guidelines on using natural therapies to protect us from an expected Bird Flu pandemic. First I would like to state that I see Bird Flu as a part of the spectrum of fear that has been deliberately promoted in recent years. Nevertheless, we have had pandemics before, and another one may indeed materialize. But is that a reason for fear? Not as far as I am concerned.

My lack of concern is based on two factors. The first is the availability in natural medicine of a wide range of effective antiviral remedies, and the second a considerable degree of immunity against infectious diseases that comes with a natural lifestyle. To give an example from my personal experience: in my younger years I used to get colds and influenza on a regular basis like others around me. Since improving my lifestyle I have not had the flu for the last 35 years.

Similar with the common cold: once a medical doctor and friend of mine warned me not to come close as she had a bad cold. To show her that there is more to getting a cold than being exposed to the virus, I rubbed her freshly used handkerchief into my nostrils. I did not ‘catch’ a cold. I believe if we can catch a cold or flu, then our health or lifestyle is not optimal.

Most individuals would acknowledge that there is still room for improvement with their lifestyle, and this is a good starting point for protection against the Bird Flu, or indeed any type of infection: Improve your lifestyle. The main lifestyle factors for improving our resistance to infections are as follows:

High-Quality Diet – some foods protect us from infections while others make us susceptible

Chronic stress of any kind undermines our immune system. Such stress may be biochemical as from food allergies or vitamin and mineral deficiencies, or it may come from persistent emotional stress of any kind, dissatisfaction and especially worry or fear. The opposites of chronic stress are relaxation and joyful activity, optimism and a positive attitude to life and everything else. These are highly protective against infections.

Antiviral Remedies

I regard natural antiviral remedies as more effective than pharmaceutical ones. An added bonus is that natural remedies are basically free of side-effects, and they are non-specific, meaning that they are effective against all viruses as well as against bacteria and fungi.

Most natural antivirals are antioxidants. Usually a cocktail of strong antioxidants is used in high concentrations. These include the vitamins A, C, D and E, alpha lipoic acid, and extracts of grapefruit seed and olive leaf. Supportive minerals are magnesium, selenium and zinc. Colloidal silver, hydrogen peroxide, garlic, and a range of herbs and essential oils may be used in addition. Different quantities and combinations of these may be used at different stages of infection alert or an actual infection.

During a general infection alert you may take the following with each meal or three times daily:

several drops of Lugol’s solution (iodine) mixed with food or drink but not directly together with antioxidants, half a meal apart is fine

Use about half of these amounts for children. In addition use a wide range of high-quality foods and concentrates, such as spirulina, chlorella, barley or wheat grass powder, bee pollen, kelp, lecithin, fish oils and coconut oil, in addition to fresh vegetable juices if available. As an additional precaution you may reduce any mucus in the head spaces, see Mucus Problems.

During an acute infection or as soon as you notice any symptoms, do several of the following:

Hydrogen Peroxide Therapy: At the first sign of an infection put 3% hydrogen peroxide into each ear canal. Turn one side up, and using a syringe or dropper, put a few drops in one ear; when the bubbling stops turn the head and treat the other ear. Repeat this a few times at about 2 hour intervals. In addition, frequently gargle with hydrogen peroxide, try one teaspoon in a glass of water. In addition inhale 3% hydrogen peroxide that is sprayed with a plastic spray bottle directly into the throat several times a day.

Vitamin C Therapy: Increase you intake of vitamin C to half a teaspoon in a glass of (fresh) juice or herb tea every hour. If this does not cause diarrhoea, then increase this the next day to half a teaspoon every half hour or one teaspoon every waking hour. Always use ample fluids with a high intake of vitamin C. Sodium ascorbate or mixed ascorbates are generally easier to take than ascorbic acid, which may irritate the gastro-intestinal tract. However, some therapists believe that ascorbic acid is more effective. You may make a compromise by mixing some ascorbic acid with sodium ascorbate in an amount that is acceptable to your tastebuds and your stomach.

Continue increasing until you get loose stool, just short of diarrhoea, then cut back the vitamin C by about 25% or until the loose stool or diarrhoea stops. If the infection gets worse, increase again the amount of vitamin C. Continue until the infection has disappeared. With continuing improvement, amounts need to be further reduced to avoid diarrhoea. Do not stop a high intake of vitamin C suddenly but reduce amounts gradually. Warning: If you develop edema or swellings from water retention then you may need to cut back until this is no longer a problem. Always use plenty of fluid with a high vitamin C intake.

L-Lysine is an essential amino acid that makes it more difficult for microbes to spread by strengthening collagen; take about 2 g or half a teaspoon of L-lysine 3x daily before meals or food. (If the label just says ‘Lysine’ then it probably is the synthetic D, L form and may not be effective).

Electronic Zapper and Magnetic Pulser: In addition to the other measures as outlined above you may use a Beck-type zapper (blood purifier with colloidal silver maker) and magnetic Pulser, for more information see Electronic Zapper & Magnetic Pulser. The blood purifier uses a weak current from batteries to disable microbes in the bloodstream, while the magnetic pulser is used to disable microbes in lymph glands and specific infection sites, such as chest, throat or sinuses.